The Seattle Seahawks were highly likely to sign wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba to a new contract. The better question was for what amount.
As it turned out, it was an historic amount.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Monday morning the Seahawks agreed to a 4-year, $168.6 million contract extension with Smith-Njigba. The extension makes him the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history.
“The deal averages $42.15 million per year, and includes over $120 million guaranteed, both setting records for any wide receiver,” wrote Schefter on X.
The deal averages $42.15 million per year,
The Seahawks exercised the fifth-year option in the receiver’s contract Friday. So, he was already locked in through 2027.
But the extension Monday ends any doubt over Seattle’s negotiations with Smith-Njigba. The 2025 Offensive Player of the Year is now signed with the Seahawks through the 2031 campaign.
Smith-Njigba led the league with 1,793 receiving yards during the 2025 regular season. He also had 119 receptions and 10 touchdowns.
In addition to Offensive Player of the Year, Smith-Njigba made first-team All-Pro and his second consecutive Pro Bowl.
During the playoffs, he registered 17 catches, 199 receiving yards and two scores.
Seahawks Sign WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba to Historic Contract: Report
Because of how good he was last season, Smith-Njigba’s massive payday isn’t overly shocking. But it’s more than the projection Spotrac made on his extension.
Spotrac predicted Smith-Njigba’s market value at $113.2 million on a 3-year deal. That would have paid the receiver an average of about $37.7 million per season.
Smith-Njigba received more per season and a longer deal.
The receiver’s contract is even bigger when considering what he will be paid in 2026 and 2027. The final year of his rookie contract, the 2026 campaign will pay Smith-Njigba a $2.7 million base salary.
That salary jumps to about $23.85 million next season with the fifth-year option.
Based on Schefter’s report, those contract figures will remain in place. Smith-Njigba’s new contract will officially begin in 2028 and conclude after the 2031 season.
Smith-Njigba was one of two former Seahawks first-rounders who had his fifth-year option exercised Friday. Seattle also picked up cornerback Devon Witherspoon’s fifth year.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport posted on X Monday morning that Witherspoon is next in line to receive a contract extension.
Spotrac projected Witherspoon to become one of the highest-paid cornerbacks in the league. But again, the Seahawks went over Spotrac’s projection to ink Smith-Njigba to a new deal.
Impact Smith-Njigba’s Deal Will Have on NFC West
With the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams facing each other in the NFC championship game last season, the two rivals have a close eye on each other.
Smith-Njigba’s contract extension will likely directly affect the Rams.
“Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s deal with the Seahawks is the latest jump in the WR market, one that will impact their division rival Rams, who could be working on a Puka Nacua extension this offseason,” wrote Schefter.
Unlike Smith-Njigba’s situation before Monday, Nacua is entering a contract season. So, there should be a lot of urgency for the Rams to sign their star wideout to a new deal this offseason.
But it’s Smith-Njigba who received long-term security first.
In three seasons, Smith-Njigba has posted 282 receptions, 3,551 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns. He’s had at least 100 catches and 1,100 receiving yards in each of the past two campaigns.
During 2025, Smith-Njigba saw his yards per catch average jump from 10.8 during 2023-24 to 15.1.
Seahawks Get Terrific, Historic Jaxon Smith-Njigba Contract Update